As John was walking down the aisles, a flash of red caught his attention.
"Is that a Santa suit?" John walked over and lifted up a large red jacket.
"Either that, or a really bad fashion mistake." John let off a high pitched scream and promptly fainted.
"Oh pull yourself together, it’s only me." John's eyes flew open to reveal the husky from before.
"Sorry,” he looked at the dog’s nametag "Ted. I suppose I still have to get used to a few things around here." He said sheepishly.
"No sweat, happens to most first timers. In response to your question yes, it is a Santa costume,” the anthropomorh gestured to what John was holding "but parts are missing. The last guy that hired it lost the beard, gloves and boots - don't even get me started on how long it took me to get the stains out the hat."
John looked at what sat on the shelf. The hat, a pair of trousers and folded on top a white t-shirt seemed to be what was left, along with the coat he was still holding.
"Can't hurt to try, right?" John asked as he turned to Ted.
"Well, it’s your decision. Change rooms are at the back." John thanked Ted and headed into one of them. Pulling the curtain across, he turned to see three mirrors placed so that he could see most of himself in their reflection. John quickly stripped down to his boxer shorts and put on the undershirt. What surprised him was that it was skin-tight.
"I suppose it stretches." John stopped to admire his physique. A typical 20-something blond stared back at him with blue eyes. The shirt clung to his torso, perfectly sculpted from years at the gym. When he was at a shoot for a Men's Health cover, the crew had mistaken him for Paul Walker.
"Don't get too big a head." He laughed as he pulled on the pants. Even when zipped and buttoned however, they were too large for his 32-inch waist.
"Must be 40 inch." He said to himself. As he stated to unbutton them, he felt something hit his thigh. "Wha?" John reached into the pocket and found some suspenders. "Hmph, didn't notice these before."
After putting them on, John picked up to the coat. Sliding both arms in, he tied the sash and turned to the mirror.
"Something's missing... the hat!" He grabbed it and just as he was about to put it on, he noticed a small tag inside.
"Squeeze pom-pom to inflate." he read aloud "Inflate? What do you inflate in a hat? Huh, may as well. Maybe it lights up instead."
John squeezed the pom-pom and put the hat on his head. He couldn't see any difference.
"Man, this bites. They didn't even provide the padding. What kind of Santa are you without a gut?" He complained to his reflection. John suddenly heard something like sleigh bells quickly ring. John looked around for the noise.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"